Nicotine dispenser with polymeric reservoir of nicotine

ABSTRACT

A nicotine dispenser comprising a polyolefin porous plug with reversibly retained nicotine therein. The dispenser is mounted in a tubular configuration to provide a cigarette-shaped product adapted to dispense nicotine vapor when air is drawn therethrough. The polymeric reservoir of nicotine comprises a polyolefin, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene, which reversibly absorbs nicotine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to non-combustible nicotine dispensing devicesdesigned to reduce or eliminate the disadvantages associated withconventional smoking habits.

Nicotine is a toxic liquid alkaloid having the formula C₅ H₄ NC₄ H₇NCH₃. When nicotine is obtained from tobacco, as by chewing, sniffing orsmoking the substance, the amount of nicotine absorbed into the bodygenerally does not build up to a harmful dose, but produces certainpleasurable effects, frequently leading to habitual use.

One of the most popular versions of nicotine use involves the smoking ofcigarettes. When the tobacco in a conventional cigareete is ignited, thecombustion of the processed tobacco leaves within the cigarette causesthe release of vaporous nicotine, which is drawn through the cigaretteand into the user's mouth and lungs when the user sucks or inhales airthrough the cigarette.

The relative mildness of a cigarette, as compared to a pipe or cigar,permits a user to draw the smoke from the burning cigarette directlyinto the lungs. Nicotine vapors in the cigarette smoke are rapidlyassimilated into the bloodstream of the user from the lungs, so thatcigarette smoking provides a method by which a user may very quicklyfeel the effects of the nicotine.

Although nicotine can be readily introduced into the body throughcigarette smoking, the combustion of the tobacco, with the consequentelevated temperatures required in this process, unfortunately results ina number of undesirable consequences associated with smoking combustiblecigarettes. Of primary concern are the serious health hazards thought bymany to result from smoking combustible cigarettes. The nicotine contentof a cigarette is not believed to cause any serious adverse long-termhealth effects on the human body. Other components, however, are presentin tobacco smoke which are thought by many to be harmful. Some of theseother components, for example, appear to be carcinogenic.

Furthermore, the smoking of combustible cigarettes may pose asignificant fire hazard. Many first which have occurred both withinbuildings or in natural environments have been attributed to carelesslydiscarded burning cigarettes. In addition, substantial economic lossesmay be attributed to smoking, including, for example, significant damageto business and personal property resulting from burns in clothing,carpeting, furniture, etc. caused by stray ashes from cigarettes.Cigarette smoking has also become increasingly objectionable because ofthe discomfort it may cause to non-smokers who are exposed to the smokeand odor produced by practitioners of the smoking habit.

Because of these undesirable side effects of conventional cigarettesmoking, attempts have been made from time to time to provide acceptablesubstitutes. Such substitutes for combustible cigarette smokingeliminate or ameliorate some or all of the adverse consequencesmentioned above. Tobacco concentrates, for example, have been processedinto a tablet form which may be sucked or chewed, the nicotine beingabsorbed into the user's body through the lining of the mouth anddigestive system. Such a tablet, of course, does not provide the userwith the feel of a cigarette held between the lips.

Furthermore, a tablet-type smoking substitute cannot provide the userwith an opportunity to draw air and vapors into the mouth nor inhale theair and vapors into the lungs, these actions being a part of theconvetional smoking habit. These actions or activities constitute animportant aspect of the psychological and physiological affinities whicha smoker acquires for the habit. Without an effective substitute forsuch smoking activities, a smoking substitute is less likely to satisfythe user and may thus result in a return to combustible cigarettesmoking.

An important step forward in the development of a smoking substitute isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,089 to Ray, assiged to the assignee ofthe present invention and incorporated by reference herein. In thispatent a smokeless device for dispensing nicotine is described which maytake the appearance of a conventional smoking item, such as a cigarette.Moreover, the device disclosed in the patent enables nicotine to bedispensed in response to users actions that closely simulatesconventional smoking activity.

In an illustrated embodiment, the Ray patent discloses a device havingthe general configuration of a cigarette. However, the exterior of thedevice defines a gas flow passageway with a flow restriction. The flowrestriction is defined by an absorbent material carrying a nicotinesolution on the material. In response to the fluid velocity developed atthe restriction, nicotine is vaporized from the absorbent material andinhaled by the user. As a result, the user attains a nicotine inducedsensation quite similar to that obtained by smoking conventionalcigarettes.

While it may be safely posited that the Ray patent represents apioneering advance in the art, the inventors of the present inventionhave appreciated that it would be desirable to optimize the performanceof a device of the general type disclosed in the Ray patent. In oneaspect, for example, the present inventors have appreciated that itwould be highly desirable to increase the amount of nicotine that isvaporized in response to a given puff on such a device.

It is also very important in a nicotine dispenser of this kind toeffeciently vaporize the nicotine. Liquid nicotine has an extremelybitter, almost caustic taste. Thus, it is important to dispense thenicotine in a fashion which encourages controlled vaporization whilepreventing inadvertent suction of unvaporized droplets, even those ofvery small size.

Finally, the present invention have appreciated that the above describedobjetives are most advantageously achieved with a device having a "draw"similar to that of a conventional smoking device, such as a cigarette.It is believed that users may rapidly become dissatisfied with a smokingsubstitute that requires too little or, more particularly, too muchinhalation effort for the sensation achieved. Similarly if the devicedispenses too high a nicotine dosage with each puff, the user mayreceive more nicotine than desired and may be forced to change smokinghabits. Either of these alternatives is undesirable in that the userwill be less willing to substitute the smokeless substitute if the"familiar feeling" is compromised or if the substitute is somehow lesspleasurable.

In addition to U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,089 mentioned earlier herein, othershave described nicotine dispensing devices. U.S. Pat. No. 4,393,884, forexample, describes a demand inhaler holding a reservoir of pressurizednicotine and having a complicated mechanical system, all encased in atube for oral nicotine input. U.S. Pat. No. 2,860,638 describes atubular device for oral inhalation of substances such as nicotine. Thisdevice may contain filler material such as cotton or mineral matter inwhich substances such as nicotine may be absorbed.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,280,823 describes a tobacco smoke filter comprising anion-exchange resin containing nicotine for nicotine enrichment of gasesinhaled therethrough. U.S. Pat. No. 3,584,630 describes a filter sectioncomprising nicotine weakly absorbed on carbon black for nicotineenrichment of inhaled gases.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,083,372 describes a cigarette-simulating inhaler with afibrous wick of material such as cellulose acetate or cotton fibers anda puncturable capsule of flavorant for release into the wick prior toinhalation of air therethrough.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, anicotine dispenser is described. This nicotine dispenser comprises ahousing defining a passageway for air through the dispenser. Interposedin the passageway is at least one porous plug comprising a firstpolymeric substance, the first polymeric substance being able toabsorptively and reversibly retain and release nicotine, and nicotine.The nicotine dispenser is preferably adapted to simulate a cigarette anddeliver satisfactorily an inhaled dose of nicotine, without any tars orothre noxious products of tobacco combustion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional objects, features and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent by referring to the following detailed descriptionof the preferred embodiments in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elementsthroughout all the figures. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view which illustrates one embodiment of anicotine dispenser constructed according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an nicotinedispenser of this invention taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The nicotine dispenser of the present invention, as generally designatedby the numeral 10 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, includes a tubular housing 12defining a passageway 14 for air drawn through the dispenser 10, in adirection indicated by an arrow 16. The path of air drawn through thedispenser 10 may be in either direction. Interposed in the passageway 14is a porous plug 18. This particular nicotine dispenser 10 is in apreferred shape, the elongated tube shape of a conventional cigarette.It should however be understood that other designs and forms are equallyviable. The cigarette format illustrated by FIG. 1 is the mostconventional configuration of the dispenser but not the onlyfunctionally effective form of the device.

The housing 12 may be made of a variety of materials. It is preferablethat the housing 12 material is chemically inert and non-absorptive withrespect to nicotine which is to be reversibly retained by the porousplug 18.

In the most preferred embodiment of this invention the housing 12 ismanufactured with a diameter, length and weight which approximate thatof a conventional cigarette.

Furthermore, the housing 12 is preferably provided with the appropriatecolor to present the same appearance as a conventional cigarette. Inaddition, a tipping band 20 made of paper, cork or other suitablematerial may be applied around the mouthpiece end 22 of the device 10 tosimulate the appearance of the filter tip on a conventional cigarette.

The porous plug 18 comprises two materials: a first polymeric substanceand nicotine. The first polymeric substance is able to absorptively andreversibly retain and release nicotine.

The term absorptively retaining nicotine as used herein is to bedistinguished as meaning a physical retention as yet incompletelydefined. The physical retention apparently involves a reversiblepenetration of nicotine into the first polymeric substance, the nicotineintercalating between polymeric chains.

A nicotine-bearing mixture or nicotine itself may be dispersed in anddispensed from the first polymeric substance. It has been found that anumber of substances may be advantageously provided in the nicotine ornicotine mixture which is placed in the porous plug 18 of the presentinvention. Nicotine (d), nicotine (1), nicotine (d1) and possiblymixtures containing nicotine salts may all be used to advantage in thenicotine-bearing mixture of the present invention to provide thenicotine vapors which are inhaled by the user. A product obtainedcommercially from Eastman Company, Stock No. 1242, having 98% nicotine(1), has been used in one embodiment of the device and found to performwith satisfactory results. When the term "nicotine" is used herein, itunless otherwise defined, indicates usage of Eastman Company nicotine orthat from any numerous commercial sources. Commercial nicotine ispreferably distilled under vacuum to provide high purity nicotine forthe dispenser 10 of the present invention.

Any number of nicotine-bearing mixtures are usable for emplacement inthe porour plug 18 of the present invention. The specificnicotine-bearing mixture being used in a particular embodiment of thepresent invention is largely dependent upon the specific dispenser, itsconfiguration and substances desired to be dispensed. In the mostpreferred embodiment of this invention, a number of other materials havebeen found to provide advantageous results when added to the nicotinebearing mixture. The commercial nicotine which is available in themarketplace is entirely a by-product of the tobacco industry. Extractionand purification procedures are generally well-known in the tobaccoindustry.

In the nicotine-bearing mixture, nicotine enhancing materials, organicacids and volatile carriers may be added and mixed in accordance withnormal manufacturing procedures. It should be noted in selectingadditive materials, that they must be suitable for human exposure and/orconsumption. In particular, most chemicals may be theoretically toxic oftheir level of concentration is increased enough. Therefore, it isessential to select the materials for use in the formulation of thisinvention such that they can be used within accepted toxicityguidelines.

In addition to the above, a number of other materials such as mentholmay for example be added to provide a desireable flavor when added to anicotine-bearing mixture.Such flavorings may also be added in the formof synthetic ingredients.

Menthol may also be added to the mixture for a variety of reasonsincluding flavoring or as a carrier material or to suit the particulartaste of the user. The menthol which has been used in USP Leveratatery,obtained from the Gentry Corporation and may be dissolved in solventssuch as ethanol or liquid nicotine to form a liquid. Menthol vapors areabsorbed by a polyolefin porous plug 18 of the present invention.

Anti-oxidants such as butylated hydroxy toluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, propyl gallate or tertary butyl hydroxy quinone may also beadded to the nicotine before or after impregnation into the porous plug18. Such anti-oxidants, for example may be used to stabilize nicotinefor a dispenser 10 with a longer shelf life.

Nicotine may be loaded into the porous plug by numerous means. Forexample, the porous plug may be contracted with liquid nicotine, withnicotine vapor or with a solution of nicotine. A solution of nicotine insupercritical liquid carbon dioxide is also thought to represent anadvantageous way of introducing nicotine to porour plugs 18. Porousplugs 18 may be impregnated with nicotine before or after theirinterposing placement in the passageway 14 of a dispenser 10.

A variety of flavoring materials may be conveniently added to aformulation of nicotine to provide a desired effect. As has beenpreviously mentioned, well-known flavorants which are approved for humanconsumption can be used in specified amounts. The use of such flavormaterials is not intended to be a limiting factor in this application,but rather, it is intended to recite several of the possibilities forenhancing the final nicotine formulation of this invention.

For the purpose of the present invention the first polymeric substanceshould be reersibly absorptive to nicotine so that nicotine isabsorbable and releasable. However, it is also important that thematerial be sufficiently absorbent of releasable nicotine to hold enoughnicotine so that at least about 1 microgram is dispensed in response toeach puff of the user with a dispenser 10 having a nicotine-loadedporous plug 18. The first polymeric substance is typically a materialgenerically described as an olefinic polymer. More specifically, thefirst polymeric substance is preferably polyethylene or polypropylenebut may also be any polyolefin or polyolefindiene such as polybutadiene,poly-1-butene, polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, poly-4-methyl pentene, orcombustions thereof, for example. Of particular preference isformulating the porous plug 18 of the present invention is a highdensity polyethylene. Although amorphous rather than crystallinepolyethylene appears to have a greater nicotine-absorptive capacity,porous plugs are more readily produced from high density polyethylenewhich has adequate capacity for reversible nicotine absorption. Theporous plug may be produced mechanically and may also be a mass offilaments.

Polymeric substances such as polystyrene and polycarbonate are dissolvedby nicotine and thus not usable in the practice of the presentinvention. Polymers containing halogens or nitrogen or sulfur, althoughthey may be found to have the desired reversible nicotine absorptivityare not preferred becasue of their potential emission of noxious fumesupon accidental ignition.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the housing 12 ofthe dispenser 10 is composed of a second polymeric substance. The secondpolymeric substance is preferably resistant to penetration by nicotineand produces no noxious fumes upon accidental ignition. A preferredsecond polymeric substance is oriented polybutyleneterephthalate.

The tipping paper comprising the band 20 of the dispenser 10 ispreferably non-nicotine absorbent. Ordinary cigarette tipping paper maybe advantageously treated to decrease its absorbent capacity fornicotine. Such treatment may comprise: exposure to ammonium hydroxide,dimethyldichlorosilane or polyvinylpyrrolidone, for example.

It is also preferred for preparation of packages containing thedispensers 10 of the present invention to wrap sets of said dispensers10 in a wrapping nonabsorptive for and substantially nonpermeable tonicotine. A wrapping of biaxially oriented polyethylenetrephthalate filmhas been found to suitably retain nicotine in nicotine loaded dispensers10 wrapped therein.

Many other embodiments of the present invention may be readilyenvisioned by those skilled in the art upon examination of thisspecification, including the following examples which are presented tofully describe many features of the invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Polyethylene Absorption from Liquid Nicotine

A low density polyethylene tube (obtained from Blackwell Plastics,Houston, Texas) weighing 721.2 mg was immersed in liquid nicotine (98%,Eastman Kodak) for 17 hr at 75° F. The tube was withdrawn from thenicotine, washed with water and dried. The dried tube weighed 743.5 mg.The net increase in weight was 22.3 mg, which indicated that low densitypolyethylene may absorb nicotine to form a composite with about 3%nicotine. Although it was noted that the dried tube was tactually dry,an odor of nicotine was emitted by the tube-nicotine composit.

EXAMPLE 2 Attempted Extraction of Nicotine from a Nicotine ContainingPolyethylene Tube

A low density polyehtylene tube (8×84 mm) weighing 743.5 mg andcontaining 22.3 mg of absorbed nicotine was immersed in 0.1Mhydrochloric acid at ambient temperature for periods of 1 minutes and 10minutes. After washing, drying and weighing, the 1 min. HC1 immersionwas found to have caused a weight loss of 0.4 mg and the 10 min.immersion a weight loss of 1.4 mg. This experiment suggested that,should a nicotine containing polyethylene sample be ingested, that theinternal emission of nicotine would be slow rather than immediate. Itwas also indicated that nicotine had deeply penetrated the polyethylenerather than being absorbed or superficially absorbed.

EXAMPLE 3 Polyethylene Absorption of Vaporous Menthol

A low density polyethylene tube (8×84 mm) weighing 824.3 mg was sealedin a test tube with menthol crystals. The test tube was then placed inan oven at 125° F. for 2 hr. The tube was removed from the test tube,washed with ethanol, dried and weighed. The tube then weighed 865.4 mg,showing a weight increase of 41.1 mg ascribable to absorbed menthol.This experiment indicates that menthol, as well as nicotine may beabsorbed by polyethylene.

EXAMPLE 4 Polyethylene Film Absorption from Liquid Nicotine

Two types of polyethylene film (1 mil thickness) from PhillipsPetroleum, Bartlesville, OK were obtained: NO. TR140, a blown film ofhigh crystallinity; and No. 0X611, a cast film of low crystallinity.Samples of both film types were weighed and immersed in nicotine (98%Eastman Kodak, Rochester, N.Y.) at 25° C. for 5 hours. After withdrawalfrom the nicotine, the film samples were carefully wiped untilcompletely free of liquid, and weighed. The results of this immersionare shown in Table 1.

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                        Nicotine Absorption by Polyethylene Film                                            Preliminary                                                                             Postimmersion                                                                             Nicotine                                                                             % Nicotine                                 Sample                                                                              Weight    Weight      Absorbed                                                                             (of original wt.)                          ______________________________________                                        TR140  84.9 mg   86.8 mg    1.9 mg 2.2%                                       OX611 128.9 mg  133.7 mg    4.8 mg 3.7%                                       ______________________________________                                    

As the data in Table 1 indicates both types of polyethylene film absorbnicotine, the low crystallinity polyethylene absorbing nicotine moreefficiently.

EXAMPLE 5 Absorption of Nicotine Vapor by Various Polymers

Valox (polybutyleneterephthalate) in various forms was obtained fromGeneral Electric (Polymer Products Department). Tedlar(polyvinylfluoride film) was obtained from DuPont de Nemours & Company.Gafphite 1600A (polybutyleneterephthalate) was obtained from GeneralAniline Fiber. PPh (polyropylene homopolymer) was obtained from TeelPlastics, Baraboo, Wisconsin. Various preweighed samples (from 40 mg toabout 800 mg in weight) of these polymers were incubated in sealedcontainers with a nicotine saturated air for different times and atdifferent temperatures and again weighed. The results of thesemanipulations are shown in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2                                                         ______________________________________                                        Percent Weight Gain For Various                                               Polymers Subjected to Nicotine Vapors                                                                  Time     Weight Gain                                 Sample        Temperature                                                                              (Days)   (wt. %)                                     ______________________________________                                        Valox (10% glass filled)                                                                    ambient    12       1.46                                        Valox (10% glass filled)                                                                    125° F.                                                                           12       0.67                                        Valox (40% glass filled)                                                                    ambient    12       0.09                                        Valox (40% glass filled)                                                                    125° F.                                                                           12       0.02                                        Valox 310-083 ambient    7        0.08                                        Valox 310-083 125° F.                                                                           7        0.29                                        Valox 310-095 ambient    7        0.10                                        Valox 310-095 125° F.                                                                           7        0.98                                        Gafphite 1600A                                                                              ambient    7        0.072                                       Gafphite 1600A                                                                              125° F.                                                                           7        0.35                                        Tedlar        ambient    7        0.055                                       Tedlar        125° F.                                                                           7        1.00                                        PPH           60° C.                                                                            1        1.2                                         PPH           60° C.                                                                            3        3.7                                         PPH           60° C.                                                                            5        5.7                                         PPH           60° C.                                                                            10       6.0                                         PPH           60° C.                                                                            20       6.8                                         PPH           50° C.                                                                            1        0.4                                         PPH           50° C.                                                                            3        0.8                                         PPH           50° C.                                                                            5        1.9                                         PPH           50° C.                                                                            10       2.7                                         PPH           50° C.                                                                            20       4.1                                         PPH           25° C.                                                                            1        0.05                                        PPH           25° C.                                                                            3        0.15                                        PPH           25° 5C.      0.20                                        PPH           25° C.                                                                            10       0.25                                        PPH           25° C.                                                                            20       0.5                                         PPH            5° C.                                                                            1        0.05                                        PPH            5° C.                                                                            3        0.08                                        PPH            5° C.                                                                            5        0.10                                        PPH            5° C.                                                                            10       0.10                                        PPH            5° C.                                                                            20       0.15                                        ______________________________________                                    

As the data in Table 2 indicates, under comparable conditions,(polypropylene at 50° C. for 10 days and polybutylene terephthalate orpolyvinylfluoride at 125° F. for 7 days), that the polyolefinpolypropylene is much more effective as a nicotine absorbent (2.7 wt. %gain) than is the polybutylene terephthalate (less than 1%) or polyvinylfluoride (about 1%). Also, these results suggest the usability of suchrelatively nonabsorptive polymers for portions of the presentlydescribed nicotine dispenser 10 where nicotine non-absorption isdesirable such as the housing 14 or wrapping (not shown).

EXAMPLE 6 Absorption and Desorption of Nicotine Vapors By Low DensityPolyethylene Tubes

Preweighed low density polyethylene tubes (Blackwell Plastics, Houston,Texas) were subjected to nicotine vapors from a predetermined amount ofnicotine in a sealed tube at a temperature of about 125° F. for 24hours. The weight gain of the tubes were determined and the results areshown in Table 3.

                  TABLE 3                                                         ______________________________________                                        Polyethylene Sample                                                           Absorption Of Nicotine Vapors                                                                Polyethylene or Nicotine Weight                                               Sample 1  Sample 2                                             ______________________________________                                        Sample wt. before exposure                                                                     1.0159   g      1.0177 g                                     Nicotine available                                                                             22.0     g      25.6   mg                                    Sample wt. after exposure                                                                      1.0350   g      1.0387 g                                     for 24 hrs.                                                                   Nicotine absorbed                                                                              19.1     mg     21.0   mg                                    ______________________________________                                    

Sample 1 and Sample 2 were then exposed to ambient air for variousperiods of time and periodically weighed to determine loss of absorbednicotine. The measurements of nicotine desorption are shown in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4                                                         ______________________________________                                        Polyethylene Desorption of Absorbed Nicotine                                              Decrease in Sample Weight                                                     (Nicotine Loss)                                                   Time          Sample 1 Sample 2                                               ______________________________________                                        1 hr          0.9 mg   0.4 mg                                                 2 hr          1.6 mg   1.3 mg                                                 4 hr          3.3 mg   3.1 mg                                                 ______________________________________                                    

After a 4 hr. exposure to ambient air, over a 10% loss in absorbednicotine was noted. This indicates the reversible nature of nicotineabsorption in this particular polyolefin, similar to that qualitativelynoted with other polyolefins.

EXAMPLE 7 Polyethylene and Teflon Absorption from Liquid Nicotine andDesorption of Nicotine Vapors from the Polyethylene

A low density polyethylene tube weighing 753.3 mg and a Teflon cylinderweighing 14.4983 g were immersed in liquid nicotine for 3 hr at 120° F.After withdrawal and removal of superficial nicotine, the polyethylenesample showed an increase in weight of 48.1 mg and the Teflon sampleshowed a decrease in weight of 0.8 mg. The polyethylene sample was thenexposed to ambient air for three days and exhibited a weight loss of27.0 mg (about 56% loss of absorbed nicotine). The suitability ofpolyethylene as a nicotine reservoir for a nicotine dispenser in furtherdemonstrated by the above data, as well as the nicotine non-absorptivityof Teflon.

EXAMPLE 8 Polypropylene Absorption from Liquid Nicotine and DesorptionUnder Vacuum

Four polypropylene samples obtained from Teel, Baraboo, Wisconsin, werewashed, dried, weighed and immersed in liquid nicotine for 21 hrs at120° F. The samples were withdrawn, washed with water, dried and weighedagain to determine the extent of nicotine absorption in thenicotine-loaded samples. These nicotineloaded polypropylene samples werethen placed in a vacuum dessicator, subjected to a vacuum of about 75 mmof pressure for 10 min. and reweighed to determine loss of absorbednicotine. The results of these manipulations are shown in Table 5.

                  TABLE 5                                                         ______________________________________                                        Polypropylene Absorption from Liquid                                          Nicotine and Desorption Under Vacuum                                                             1    2      3      4                                       ______________________________________                                        Sample weight (mg)   428.5  429.3  511.0                                                                              623.4                                 Sample weight after immersion                                                                      443.8  455.6  540.5                                                                              640.7                                 Nicotine absorbed (mg)                                                                             15.3   31.7   29.5 17.3                                  % nicotine of sample weight                                                                        3.6    7.5    5.8  2.8                                   Sample weight after 10 min.                                                                        443.4  454.5  539.9                                                                              640.6                                 under vacuum                                                                  Mg nicotine desorbed under vacuum                                                                  0.4    1.1    0.6  0.1                                   ______________________________________                                    

As the above data indicaet, polypropylene is an effective nicotineabsorbent and absorbed nicotene does not flash evaporate when subjectedto a vacuum which would quickly evaporate free nicotine liquid. Thisagain indicates more than adsorption or superficial absorption, such asin surface crevices.

EXAMPLE 9 High Density Porous Polyethylene Absorption of Nicotine Vapors

Four samples (cylinders with about a 1/4 inch diameter and 1 1/2 inchlength) of porous high density polyethylene were obtained from PorexTechnologies (Fairburn, GA). These samples were weighed and then eachincubated at ambient temperature in a sealed tube and in the presence of40-50 mg nicotine. The weight of the samples were periodicallydetermined and the resultant data shown in Table 6.

                  TABLE 6                                                         ______________________________________                                        Nicotine Weight Gain of                                                       Porous High Density Polyethylene                                              ______________________________________                                                    Original Sample No.                                                           1      2        3       4                                                     Weight (mg)                                                                   689.3  692.0    699.3   694.3                                     Incubation    Increase in weight (mg)                                          Temp.        ambient  ambient  120° F.                                                                      120° F.                          ______________________________________                                        Incubation                                                                            1     hr      1.0    1.0     3.5  4.2                                 Time    2     hr      1.5    1.7     3.6  5.9                                         1     day     6.2    6.1    12.9  13.6                                        6     days    11.3   --     17.7  --                                  ______________________________________                                    

The data in Table 6 demonstrates the absorptive ability of high densityporous polyethylene for nicotine vapors.

EXAMPLE 10 Vaporization of Nicotine from a Nicotine-Loaded PorousPolyethylene Plug

A 360 mg piece of Porex high density porous polyethylene was interposedin the passageway of an aluminum tube. The aluminum tube was 84 mm long,had an outer diameter of 5/16 inch and a wall thickness of 5/1000 inch.the porous plug was contacted with about 18 mg of liquid nicotine whichwas promptly absorbed to form a porous plug containing about 5% byweight nicotine. Puffs of air (35 cc/puff) were drawn through the tubeand nicotineloaded porous plug at about 1050 cc per minute (2 sec/puff).The nicotine content of the air puffs was monitored by gaschromatography (Model 5880A, Hewlett Packard).

Table 7 contains the data concerning nicotine in the air puffs.

                  TABLE 7                                                         ______________________________________                                        Nicotine Vaporized From A Porous                                              Nicotine-Loaded Polyethylene Plug                                                         Number   Micrograms                                               Time        Puffs    Nicotine Per Puff                                        ______________________________________                                        10:31        1       8.2                                                      10:33        74      8.1                                                      10:36       147      6.7                                                      10:40       220      5.6                                                      10:43       292      5.2                                                      10:46       365      4.7                                                      10:49       438      4.2                                                      10:52       511      3.8                                                      10:55       584      3.2                                                      10:58       657      2.9                                                      ______________________________________                                    

The total nicotine in the puffs was 3423 micrograms or about 19% of thenicotine originally loaded into the porous plug. The temperature wasabout 25° C. for these manipulations.

EXAMPLE 11 Attempted Extraction with Ethanol of Nicotine from a PorousPolyethylene Plug

An aluminum tube with an interposed porous high density polyethyleneplug (Porex Technologies) was constructed as described in Example 10except that the plug was loaded with 20 mg of liquid nicotine. A 35 ccvolume of 95% ethanol was drawn through the loaded plug in a 3 secondperiod and then analyzed for nicotine content. The volume of 95%ethanol, an excellent nicotine solvent under normal conditions,contained 1.4 mg of nicotine, this being about 7% of the absorbednicotine. These data illustrate that rapid extraction of nicotine from astate of polyethylene absorption is not easily accomplished and that thenicotine had penetrated the polyethylene.

EXAMPLE 12 Absorption of Nicotine Vapors by Several Materials atDifferent Temperatures

Preweighed samples of various materials were sealed in tubes with excessnicotine vapors. After various periods of time at different temperaturesthe samples were removed and reweighed. Increases in sample weight werecalculated as weight percent (wt %) increases based upon the originalsample weights.

Tip paper number MR-320 was obtained from the Schweitzer Paper Company,Division of Kimberly Clark, Neenah, Wisconsin. Kimdura, a polypropylenetrilaminate, was also obtained from Kimberly Clark. A polypropylene tube(PPT) was obtained from Teel Plastics, Baraboo, Wisconsin andpolypropylene fiber (PPF) Type 701 from Hercules Plastics, Wilmington,Delaware. The absorption of nicotine by these samples, as shown in wt%increases is presented in Table 8.

                  TABLE 8                                                         ______________________________________                                        Absorption of Nicotine Vapor                                                  Temp        wt % nicotine                                                     Sample  (°C.)                                                                          1 day   3 day 5 day  10 day                                                                              20 day                             ______________________________________                                        Tip Paper                                                                              5      1.8     2.5   1.9    3.6   2.7                                        25      0.78    1.3   1.9    3.0   4.1                                        20      4.0     7.4   7.5    6.4   13.0                                       60      5.1     14.0  7.1    12.0  18.0                               Kimdura  5      1.3     0.08  0.08   0.31  0.28                                       25      0.11    0.16  0.33   0.30  0.58                                       50      0.82    1.1   1.3    1.6   2.5                                        60      1.3     3.0   3.5    4.2   6.2                                PPT      5      0.03    0.07  0.08   0.11  0.14                                       25      0.06    0.18  0.18   0.27  0.52                                       50      0.40    0.74  1.9    2.7   4.1                                        60      1.2     3.7   5.7    6.0   6.0                                PPF      5      0.06    0.05  0.002  0.11  0.22                                       25      0.07    0.12  0.24   0.15  0.64                                       50      0.75    1.5   1.7    1.2   3.6                                        60      1.6     3.2   5.1    2.9   8.7                                ______________________________________                                    

As shown by the data in Table 8 tip paper, tirlaminate polypropylene,polypropylene tube and polypropylene fiber all absorb nicotine vaporsand that this absorption is proportional to time and temperature. Theseobservations further are applicable to a choice of materials for anicotine dispenser, for example, tip paper will absorb nicotine and thuspreferably, if used at all, should be treated so it does not effectivelyabsorb nicotine in a fashion so it is not readily deliverable by anicotine dispenser. Additionally, a nicotine dispenser with apolypropylene tube housing of the type studied above, may likewiseresult in the nicotine being absorbed in the housing by a fashion notreadily deliverable to the user.

EXAMPLE 13 Desorption of Nicotine Vapors from a Porous Polyethylene Plug

A 360 mg porous polyethylene plug was interposed in a tubular aluminumhousing as described in Example 10. The porous plug was loaded bycontact with different amounts of nicotine to form an interposed porousplug containing a particular weight percent (wt%) nicotine. Air puffswere drawn through the tube and nicotine emitted and monitored asdescribed in Example 10.

The puffs were continued at ambient temperature until the nicotineemission per puff first reached a level below 3 micrograms of nicotine.The puffing was then terminated and total emitted nicotine calculated.The data resulting from this test is shown in Table 9.

                  TABLE 9                                                         ______________________________________                                                                    no. of puffs                                                      maximum     before content                                           total mg nicotine per                                                                              is below 3                                                                              total mg                                wt %   nicotine 35 cc puff  micrograms                                                                              nicotine                                nicotine                                                                             loaded   (micrograms)                                                                              per puff  emitted                                 ______________________________________                                        2      7.2      8.9         365       2.3                                     3      10.8     7.5         730       3.8                                     4      14.4     8.3         511       2.7                                     5      18.0     8.2         657       3.4                                     6      21.6     9.9         948       5.4                                     7      25.2     9.7         1895      11.1                                    8      28.8     11.3        2187      16.5                                    ______________________________________                                    

The data in Table 9 shows, a nicotine dispenser configuration of thistype, preferably delivering at least 500 puffs containing from three toten micrograms of nicotine per puff, should contain a porouspolyethylene plug of at least about 3% nicotine or about 10.8 mgnicotine. The dosage of nicotine per puff from a nicotine dispenser ismost preferably less than 10 micrograms but more than 5 micrograms,although a dosage between 2.5 micrograms and 12 micrograms isacceptable. Preferred typical temperates and flow rates for usage of anicotine dispenser 10 of the present invention preferably range from 0°C. to 40° C. and flow rates from 100 cc/min to 2000 cc/min.

EXAMPLE 14 Absorption of Nicotine Vapors by a Selection of Papers andTreated Papers

A variety of paper samples potentially usable as tipping papers for atubular nicotine dispenser were testsed for nicotine absorption. Sampleswere washed either with water or with 5% aqueous ammonium hydroxidedried and weighed. The paper samples were then subjected to nicotinevapors in a sealed tube at 50° C. for 6 1/2 days and reweighed. Papersamples were obtained from Schweitzer Paper Company, a Division ofKimberly Clark. The results of these tests are shown in Table 10.

                  TABLE 10                                                        ______________________________________                                        Paper Absorption of Nicotine Vapors                                                       wt % nicotine                                                     Paper Sample  water washed                                                                             5% NH.sub.4 OH washed                                ______________________________________                                        WTA-33 gsm    2.2        2.4                                                  Abrol 10#500  2.1        1.1                                                  GSR156-HO-34 gsm                                                                            2.4        4.1                                                  MR320 Maretip 2.2        2.7                                                  GSR-236-M2-36HD                                                                             2.4        1.7                                                  GSR-236-M1-36HD                                                                             1.9        2.0                                                  MR320 Maretip 4.2        3.7                                                  (Printed version)                                                             ______________________________________                                    

The above data indicates that, for at least some papers, treatment with5% aqueous ammonium hydroxide decreases nicotine absorption capacity.

EXAMPLE 15 Polypropylene Absorption from Liquid Nicotine Time andTemperature Dependency

Polypropylene homopolymer tubes (Teel Plastics) were weighed andimmersed in liquid nicotine. After withdrawal, the tubes were washed,dried and weighed. Increases in weight were utilized to calculate wt%absorption. Table 11 shows data obtained from these manipulations.

                  TABLE 11                                                        ______________________________________                                        Polypropylene Nicotine Absorption                                                      wt % absorption, at                                                  Time (hr)  5° C.                                                                         25° C.                                                                             50° C.                                                                       60° C.                             ______________________________________                                         1         0.007  0.014       0.37  0.87                                      25         0.016  0.085       5.4   6.9                                       88         0.008  0.47        5.9   6.4                                       192        0.028  0.87        6.0   6.5                                       ______________________________________                                    

The data in Table 11 shows that polypropylene effectively absorbs liquidnicotine in a manner dependent on time and temperature.

EXAMPLE 16 Packaging Materials Test

Samples (3 in²) of Van Leer microporous polypropylene film were eachweighed and loaded with 40 mg of nicotine. The nicotine-loaded sampleswere heat-sealed in pouches formed from 12 in² packing film. Packagingfilms included PET (polyethyleneterephthalate); PP (polypropylene); andaluminum metallized PET. After incubating the sealed pouches of nicotinefor 2 weeks at 125° F., the microporous polypropylene film samples wereremoved and weighed. Table 12 shows the data resulting from the abovemanipulations in terms of the percentage of nicotine lost during the 2week period.

                  TABLE 12                                                        ______________________________________                                        Nicotine Permeability                                                         of Packaging Materials                                                                                 %                                                    Packaging Film           Nicotine Lost                                        ______________________________________                                        I.C.I. Melinex 470 (PET) 31                                                   I.C.I. Melinex 475 (PET) 42                                                   Bemis Esterphane (PET)    5                                                   Bemis Propa Film (Polypropylene)                                                                       99                                                   I.C.I. Melinex Metalized 850 (PET/Aluminum)                                                            40                                                   I.C.I. Melinex 850 (PET) 31                                                   Kimberly Clark KimDura (Polypropylene)                                                                 99                                                   Bemis Metalized Esterphane (PET/Alum)                                                                   5                                                   ______________________________________                                    

As indicated by the above data, polypropylene film would beunsatisfactory for packaging nicotine dispensers while certain biaxiallyoriented polyethyleneterephthalate film or metallizedpolyethyleneterephthalate film appears to effectively retard nicotineevaporation.

Further modifications of the present invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art who have had the benefit of this disclosure. Suchmodifications however lie within the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A nicotine dispenser for non-pyrolytic use,adapted to release nicorine-bearing vapor into air drawn through thedispenser, said dispenser comprising:(a) a housing, said housingdefining a passageway for air through the dispenser; and (b) interposedin the passageway, at least one porous plug comprising nicotine and afirst polymeric substance, the first polymeric substance being able toabsorptively and reversibly retain and release the nicotine,.
 2. Thenicotine dispenser of claim 1 wherein said housing is shaped as anelongated tube.
 3. The nicotine dispenser of claim 2 wherein saidelongated tube includes a first portion adapted to retain at least oneporous plug and a second portion adapted to be a mouthpiece.
 4. Thenicotine dispenser of claim 3 wherein the second portion is definedfurther as having a band of generally cork-colored paper.
 5. Thenicotine dispenser of claim 4 wherein the corkcolored paper is definedfurther as having been subjected to a treatment to reduce nicotineabsorbtivity.
 6. The nicotine dispenser of claim 5 wherein the treatmentis defined further as comprising exposure to ammonium hydroxide,dimethyldichlorosilane or polyvinylpyrrolidone.
 7. The nicotinedispenser of claim 1 wherein the first polymeric substance consistsessentially of a polyolefin.
 8. The nicotine dispenser of claim 1wherein the first polymeric substance consists essentially ofpolyethylene, polypropylene, polybutadiene, poly-1-butene,polyisobutylene, polyisoprene, poly-4-methyl-1-pentene or combinationsthereof.
 9. The nicotine dispenser of claim 1 wherein the firstpolymeric substance is polyethylene or polypropylene.
 10. The nicotinedispenser of claim 1 wherein the first polymeric substance is highdensity polyethylene.
 11. The nicotine dispenser of claim 1 wherein thehousing comprises a second polymeric substance and the second polymericsubstance is resistant to penetration by nicotine.
 12. The nicotinedispenser of claim 11 wherein the second polymeric substance ispolybutyleneterephthalate.
 13. The nicotine dispenser of claim 1 whereinthe porous plug comprises a molded unit.
 14. The nicotine dispenser ofclaim 1 wherein the porous plug comprises a shaped mass of filaments.15. The nicotine dispenser of claim 1 wherein also interposed in thepassageway is a second porous plug, the second porous plug beingresistant to the absorption of nicotine.
 16. The nicotine dispenser ofclaim 1 wherein at least one porous plug comprises a vaporizableflavorant such as menthol or tobacco extract.releasable into air drawnthrough the dispenser.
 17. The nicotine dispenser of claim 1 wherein thenicotine is defined further as being accompanied by an antioxidant. 18.The nicotine dispenser of claim 17 wherein the antioxidant is butylatedhydroxyanisole propyl gallate, tertiary butylhydroxy-quinone butylatedhydroxytoluene or mixtures thereof.
 19. The nicotine dispenser of claim1 wherein the porous plug comprising nicotine is defined further ascontaining between about 1 mg and about 25 mg nicotine.
 20. The nicotinedispenser of claim 1 wherein the porous plug is defined further asreleasing as a vapor between about 2.5 micrograms nicotine and about 12micrograms nicotine when 35 cc of air are drawn through the dispenser ata temperature between about 0° C. and about 40° C. and at a flow ratebetween about 100 cc/min and about 2000 cc/min.
 21. The nicotinedispenser of claim 1 wherein the porous plug is defined further ashaving been loaded with nicotine by contact with liquid nicotine, byexposure to nicotine vapor, or by contact with nicotine in a volatileliquid solvent.
 22. Tobacco-free tubular non-pyrolytic nicotinedispensers comprising nicotine reversibly contained within an emplacedporous polymeric plug, said dispensers being packaged in a sealed filmof oriented polyethylene terephthalate.
 23. A composition consistingessentially of a solid polyolefin with from about 1 weight percent toabout 10 weight percent nicotine absorbed therein.
 24. The compositionof claim 23 wherein the polyolefin is polyethylene or polypropylene. 25.A method of making a nicotine dispenser comprising:providing a tubularhousing resistant to absorption of nicotine and defining a passagewayfor air; interposing in said passageway a porous plug comprising apolyolefin absorptive for nicotine; and exposing the porous plug tonicotine to load the porous plug with nicotine.
 26. The method of claim25 wherein the polyolefin is polyethylene or polypropylene.
 27. Themethod of claim 25 wherein the polyolefin is high-density polyethylene.28. A device simulating a cigarette for orally inhaling nicotine withouttobacco combustion, the device comprising:a tubular housingsubstantially chemically inert to nicotine and substantiallynon-absorptive of nicotine, said housing defining a passageway and beingadapted at one end to be held in the mouth of a person; and a source ofabsorptively retained nicotine interposed in said passageway, saidsource being capable of releasing nicotine into air inhaled through thepassageway.
 29. The device of claim 28 wherein the source comprisespolyethylene or polypropylene.
 30. A device for orally inhaling nicotinewithout combustion of tobacco, the device comprising:a tubular housing,substantially non-sorbent toward nicotine and adapted at one end to beheld in the mouth of a person; and a source of absorptively-retainednicotine capable of releasing nicotine into air drawn through saidhousing, said source comprising a porous solid-form polyolefin.
 31. Thedevice of claim 30 wherein the source comprises polyethylene orpolypropylene.
 32. A device for the non-pyrolytic inhalation ofnicotine, the device comprising:a tubular member adapted at one end tobe held in the mouth for inhalation of air therethrough; and a quantityof porous solid-form polymer interposed in said member said polymercontaining absorptively retained nicotine and being capable of releasingbetween about 2.5 micrograms and about 12 micrograms of nicotine into a35 cc puff of air drawn through said member.
 33. The device of claim 32wherein the polymer is a polyolefin.
 34. The device of claim 32 whereinthe polymer is a polyethylene.
 35. The device of claim 32 wherein the 35cc puff of air is drawn through at a rate of about 1050 cc per minute.36. A method of making a non-pyrolytic nicotine inhalant device, themethod comprising: positioning in a tubular housing a portion of anicotine-containing, porous, solid-form polymeric nicotine absorbentadapted to release nicotine upon he passage of air through said tubularhousing.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein the polymeric nicotineabsorbent comprises a polyolefin.
 38. The method of claim 36 wherein thepolymeric nicotine absorbent comprises polyethylene or polypropylene.39. The method of claim 36 wherein the passage of air through saidtubular housing is also through the porous solid form polymeric nicotineabsorbent.